New Town Office Options Community Discussion Meeting

[Henry]

Community Discussion

   Subject:    New Town Office Options
   Date:           Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011
   Place:         BFA Library
    Time:          7:00 PM

[Henry]

Try to attend if possible with your feedback & discussion.

[David Shea]

This was a very well run meeting.  Skip Taylor made a nice presentation of the 4 possible land options with price options for a complete package including building.  The meeting was attended by at least 30 individuals ( rough count ).

[Henry]

For those of you who were unable to attend, I will be putting up a copy of Skip's presentation so you can get an idea of what went on and maybe even comment.

[Henry]

Hi Henry,
 
Attached is the presentation from last night's discussion about Town Office Options.  It does not include the site map showing expansion onto school property or the schematic floor plan of a possible 5760 square foot new building,  Those are so preliminary in nature that we would prefer that people not focus on them for now.
 
I was pleased with the turnout and the lively discussion.  I was asked to also supply the pros and cons of each option.  I'm not ready to do that yet.  We are ready for people to tell us their preferences, so I want to urge people to print the preference sheet and drop it off  or mail it to the town office.  People could also email me their preferences to fairfaxza@yahoo.com.  On behalf of the Committee, thanks to all those who attended.
 
Skip Taylor































Click on the following link to get to the one that lets you express your choice which you can mail in or drop off to Skip at the Fairfax Town Office:

http://www.vtgrandpa.com/photos/albums/cdto_110913/cdto14.jpg


If you would like to print out this actual presentation, click on the following link:

http://www.vtgrandpa.com/fxtown/COMMUNITY DISCUSSION 9-13-2011 revised 9-14-11.doc

[Henry]

Hi again Henry,
 
Martha Varney took notes (attached) at last night's Community Discussion.  They are not official minutes, but simply reflect the discussion points.  We would be happy to share this along with the copy of the presentation which you already posted.
 
Skip


INFORMATION MEETING FOR NEW TOWN OFFICE OPTIONS
7 PM:  Tuesday, September 13, 2011 – BFA Library

The following is a list of comments/questions from the meeting:

1.   Are there designs for expansion of a new building if there is a future need?
a.   Design would be site specific
2.   Wasting time considering the White House (current Town Office building)
3.   Pros/Cons for each location-
a.   Access: private vs. public roads
b.   Grant assistance from the State – village center
c.   Current Office owned by school district
d.   
4.   1st right of refusal on adjoining property
5.   Sewer/water access
6.   Road access costs
7.   Questions on the condition of the White House and who has responsibility for  maintenance-
a.   Lease states the Town is responsible for upkeep – reason for looking at other options for Town Office before making long-term investment in a building.

8.   Questions regarding current lease with the school district.
9.   Question regarding financing:
a.   Grants linked to Village Center designation
10.   Questions for timeline of land acquisition, building, planning, etc.
11.   Act 250?  No.
12.   Water/waste capacity.  Would this impede future public resources?
13.   Access to more than one road desirable?
14.   Sidewalk networks.
15.   Future plans for White House?  Would it add to the Town’s financial obligation if the Town Offices moved elsewhere?
16. Is the 9.9 acres (voted down in March 2010 Town Meeting) still an option?
17. Building with room for larger groups vs. the option to use school facilities for a larger crowd (Town Meeting, etc).
18. Future expansion needs
19. Town population trends – shifting demographics
20. Makes sense to build a structure that is large enough for future growth.
21. Access to facility beyond Town business – use by outside groups?
22. Buying land and splitting cost with the Rescue Squad
23. Questions regarding space needs for new building – based on immediate need or future predictions: figures based on ‘guess-timates’ at this time.  Would need to be refined as design is fine-tuned.

Respectfully submitted,
Martha Varney, Zoning and Planning Assistant

[Henry]

Hi Henry,

Right now 522 people have looked at the forum item on Town Office options, but only twelve (12) so far have taken the time to indicate their preferences.  I'd be pleased if you could post a request for folks to let us know their preferences. This is really important so that we can better focus our efforts and not waste time on options that people do not want.  People who are not familiar with the issues or options are encouraged to look at your Forum item to better understand why we are asking for help. They can email their preferences to the Town Office Committee at fairfaxza@yahoo.com, or use the form that is part of the presentation you posted on Wednesday. They can drop it off at the Town Office or mail it to Skip Taylor, Fairfax Town Office, PO Box 27, Fairfax, VT 05454.

Many thanks,

Skip Taylor
Volunteer member of the Town Office Committee

[NPM, LLC]

I am curious as to why the Langelier property is listed in "other options" as being 7 acres, yet the "Preliminary cost estimates" list the parcel as being only 2 acres.  The cost estimate seems high, but if it is indeed an additional 5 acres directly on Main Street then perhaps it isn't a bad price.  An explanation would be helpful from Skip or anyone who may know if it is 7 or 2 acres.  Thanks for your help and thank you Henry for posting the discussion!

[David Shea]

Do not remember the exact acreage at Langelier's, think it was about 2 acres.  The total available land is 7 acres & the landowners are giving the town the option for first right of refusal on the balance of land.

Can you tell me what you mean when you say the project seems expensive?

The price per square foot for  the building was $150.00 per square foot.  A contractor at the meeting told me after that this is reasonable without seeing the actual plans.  Certainly will not have terrazzo floors in it at this price.  Concrete cost have doubled in the past five years from 100.00 per cubic yard for 3500 psi concrete to over 200.00 per cu yard.  Building and land development is expensive, but I expect that as with most things, the price will not go down in the near future but will actually increase with CPI.